Published: 3 hours ago

Members of Parliament have condemned the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) following a damning Auditor-General's report that exposed serious financial leakages, corruption risks, and weak accountability systems.

The Public Accounts Committee report, tabled in Parliament, revealed that ZINARA improperly released 11 overloaded trucks with unpaid fees totalling ZWG 10.1 million, raising concerns over possible collusion between officials and truck operators.

Hurungwe East lawmaker Chenjerai Kangausaru described the scandal as symptomatic of deeper systemic issues. "If ever there was a litmus test for institutional accountability in our country, then ZINARA stands at the epicentre of that test," he said.

The report also highlighted widespread tollgate evasions, particularly at Dema, where commuter omnibuses and mushikashika drivers frequently tailgate to avoid payment. Despite penalties of up to ten times the normal fee, MPs noted that revenue losses continue to hamper road maintenance.

Gokwe Central legislator Daveson Masvisvi warned that the financial leakages were undermining critical road rehabilitation. "These leakages are estimated to cost the nation millions annually, directly undermining our capacity to maintain and rehabilitate critical road infrastructure," he said.

Lawmakers demanded urgent reforms, including relocating tollgates away from residential areas, installing digital tolling systems with surveillance technology, and prosecuting corrupt officials. Shamva South legislator Joseph Mapiki called for the adoption of weighbridge technology and other digital systems to curb corruption. "We need to support computerisation and technological advancements because this takes away corruption," he said.

The revelations come as Zimbabwe grapples with financing its crumbling road network, a key component of the government's National Development Strategy 1. As a major transit hub for Southern Africa, MPs warned that weak revenue collection threatens trade and broader economic growth.
- NewZiana

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